INGLEWOOD, CALIF. --- Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com earlier this week that Mike Alvarado has been "training like a mad man" and "for once, he's training in the ring and not the bars."

Alvarado has the biggest fight of his life coming up against Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night at The Forum on HBO.

"Alvarado is, for once, in really good shape," Arum said before Thursday's final pre-fight news conference. "He really worked hard and trained hard. This is going to be a hell of a fight. The big advantage that Marquez has is that he is such a smart fighter and he'll probably be able to make Alvarado fight his fight. If he does that, he'll win."

There has been speculation that the winner will get a shot at Manny Pacquiao, but if that winner proves to be Marquez that would make it the fifth time Pacquiao and Marquez would face each other. Marquez isn't exactly excited about the idea, but did leave the door slightly open at Wednesday's open workout.

"Pacquiao has agreed to fight the winner of this fight," Arum said. "Whether the winner of this fight wants to fight Pacquiao, that remains to be seen."